Carton



Sept. 12, 1944. J. A. zxNN, JR

CARTON 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 19, 1943 Attorney Sept. 12, 1944. J.A. zlNN, JR 2,358,124

CARTON Filed March 19, 1943 3 Sheets-Shea?l 2 In Ven for sept. 12, 1944.J, A ZINN, JR A2,558,124

CARTON Filed March 19, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 In men for q 24W' y.

fflftor'ny Patented Sept. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE Julius A.Zinn, Jr., Belmont, Mass.

original eppiinntinn January 15, 1942, sei-ini No. 426,795. Divided andthis application March 19, 1943, serial No. 419,703

s (unimi.A (ci. 229-31) This invention relates to a carton andparticularly to a liquid dispensing container.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improvedconstruction of carton adapted to be closed and sealed in a novel mannerto effectively seal the contents of the container.

With this general object in view, and such others as may hereinafterappear, the invention consists in the carton hereinafter ydescribed andparticularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention,Fig. 1 is e blank from which the present carton may be formed; Fig. 2 isa perspective view of the formed carton with its top and bottom endsopen; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating successivesteps in the closing and sealing of the bottom of the carton; Fig. 5A isa cross sectional View through the completed bottom closure; Fig. 6 is aperspective view of the carton showing the top or dispensing end thereofpartially closed; Fig. 'l is a similarv view of the carton shown fullyclosed; Fig. `3 is a developed View of a blank from which a modied formof carton embodying the present invention may be made; Fig. 9 is aperspective view of the modified form of carton shown with both endsopen; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the modified cartoncompletely closed and sealed.

In general, the present invention contemplates a carton particularlyadapted for use as a liquid dispensing container whose construction issuch as to provide an efcient and superior container which may bereadily and economically produced by automatic machinery. The containeris preferably produced from a moisture proofed and preferably paraiiincoated or impregnated cardboard.

The invention, as herein illustrated, is shown as embodied in arectangular carton of the socalled "nesting type, being wider at the topthan at the bottom. In practice the carton may be formed from a cut outblankof the carton forming material and is preferably wrapped about aforming block of the carton forming machine upon which the side seam andthe bottom of the carton are rmly sealed to produce a carton open at thetop. The. cartons in this condition may be nested together forconvenience in shipping and storing, the top closure being made afterthe carton has been filled with the commodity being packaged. Aconvenient covered pouring opening may and preferably will be providedin the top closing portion of the container.

In accordance with the presen-t invention, the blank from which thecarton is formed is cut in a manner such as to enable superior endclosures to be formed in the assembled carton. In the illustratedembodiments of the invention, one of the end closures, herein shown asthe bottom closure, includes side flaps comprising the first folded apsof the carton which are provided with connected wing portions formedfrom parts of the adjacent end flaps, said wing portions being arrangedto be folded in with the side flaps and to be adhesively secured to theextended end flaps during the carton closing operation in order toeffectively seal the bottom of the carton.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to '7 the endclosures are characterized by arrangement of the overlapping and foldedportions thereof in a manner such as to provide a substantially uniformthickness 'of such portions of the end closures in the assembled cartonand to provide an eicient and tightly sealed package. Ordinarily, theinterfolded wing portions of the side flaps would present an undue bulkin the bottom closure to prevent an eflicient seal of the subsequentlyfolded end flaps. In order to eliminate such undue bulk and variablethickness of the underlying flaps upon subsequent, folding down of theend flaps with the attached wing portions provision is made forcompressing the latter with portions of the underlying aps which areformed to substantially compensate for the thickness of the wingportions and to permit the extended portions of the end fie-ps to lieilat against the underlying flaps and in eiiicient sealing engagementtherewith. To this end, one of the underlying side aps is provided witha relatively wide side seam' tov form a double thickness over themajorportion thereof but being of a single thicknessiadjacent themarginal edges Where the interposed'wing portions will lie in theassembled carton. With this construction excessive bulk is eliminatedand l possible leakage areas are reduced to a minimum.

The top closures in the illustrated embodiments of the inventionpreferably comprise a bellows fold type of closure in which theend wallsof the mouth portion are tucked inwardly and then folded fiat to form anelongated closure with the side walls of the mouth portion.

or covered by a folding flap formed as anl exe tension of one of vtheside walls of the mouth portion. Such folding flap may be held inassembled relation in any usual or preferred manner such as by adhesive,by stapling, or, as here- The.- elongated closure thus formed ispreferably closed closures due to liability of leakage through the spaceformed between the inner folded edges of the bellows folds. That is.when the usual closing tab was folded over the multiple thicknesspresented by the bellows fold, the space between the inner folded edgesof the latter was difficult to seal due to the bulk presented by suchmultiple thickness. In accordance with the present invention provisionis made` for' filling up such space to present a substantially uniformthickness of the elongated closure in the assembled carton. To this end,as illustrated in the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1to 7, the closing tab is formed of a double thickness at the areacorresponding to such open space whereby upon closing of the folding taband compression thereof, the double thickness of the tab willsubstantially compensate for and cause such space to be filled up, thusproviding an emcient and substantially leakproof closure.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. l the inventionis herein illustrated as embodied in a so-called "nesting type of cartonformed from a iblank III comprising a body portion I2, a bottom closingportion I4, and a top closing portion I6. The body portion I2 of theblank includes a side wall panel I8, anp wall panels 20, 22 and panelmembers 24, 25 arranged lto be adhesively joined to (form a side wallpanel 26 having a relatively wide side seam as illustrated in Fig. 2.Panel member 24 may .be considered as a. glue panel adhered to theadjacent overlapped panel 25.

The` bottom closing portion I4 of the blank l0 comprises a side flapmember 28, end ap members 30, 32 and side flap portions 34, 35 arrangedto be adhesivelyjoined to form a side flap member 36. As vherein shownthe side flap members 28, 36 are each provided with integral -wingportions 38, 40 and 42, 44 respectively,

Aare also preferably adhesively joined as illustrated. In practice, thewing portions are firmly pressed into engagement with their respectiveextended end flaps to set the adhesive and to provide a tight seal alongthe lower edges of the end walls of the carton. Thereafter, the end flapmembers 30, 32 are folded flat against the rbottom of the carton asshown in Fig. 5 to complete the bottom closure.

In the operation of folding down and adhesively securing the end flaps30, 32 it will be seen that the bulk presented by such wing portionswould ordinarily interfere with an emcient seal between the end flapsand the underlying surface of the side flap. However, provision is madefor compensating for such multiple thickness and to present the endflaps in efficient sealing engagement with the underlying flaps :byforming the latter in a manner such as to permit the wing portions to becompressed into substantially flush relationship to the major portion ofthe underlying side aps. As hereinbefore described one of the sideflaps, preferably the first folded flap 36, comprises the adhesivelyjoined members 34, 35 which are arranged to overlap to present a doublethickness for a maior portion of the width of the side flap 38 and topresent but a single thickness of material along the marginal edgesbeyond the overlapping portions of the ap. Such single thickness areas,as best shown in Fig. 2, and indicated by the numerals 50, 52 correspondto the areas occupied :by the Wing portions 38, 40 and 42, 44 respec-'tively in the assembled carton, whereby to present a substantiallyuniform thickness throughout the. underlying side flaps and to permitthe end aps to be eillciently sealed thereagainst.

As above stated, the carton is preferably formed by wrapping the blankabout a forming block in a carton forming machine. sealing the sideseam, and. then folding in and adhesively securing the bottom flaps asdescribed while the carton is supported upon the block. In practice.,thecarton rblank is preferably provided with a coating of adhesive at theareas indicated prior to wrapping the blank about the form. Thepreferred sequence of closing the bottom flaps comprises first foldingin the side ap 36, then folding in the opposing adhesively coated flap28 to present the carton as illustrated in Fig. 4. 'Ihereafter, the endflaps 30, 32 are folded down as described whereupon substantial pressureis brought to bear 'against the aps and the :bottom of the forming blockin order to compress and force the wing portions and the underlyingflaps into the position indicated in Fig. 5A;

The top closing portion I6 of the blank I0, as herein shown, comprises abellows fold type of top closure, formed -by folded extensions of thebody portion I2, including a sidewall portion 54, connected end Wallportions 56, 58 provided with crease lines 60 for forming bellows folds,and side wall members 62, 63 arranged to be adhesively joined to formthe connecting side wall portion 65 in the assembled carton asillustrated in Fig. 2. The side and end wall portions of the top closureare each provided with mouth closing panels 54', 56', 58', 62', and 63'arranged to be folded and brought together to form an upstanding andelongated mouth portion I2 as shown in Fig. 6. Extended tab portions 68,69, extending from the panel members 62 and 63 respectively are likewisearranged to be adhesively joined to form a folding or covering ap 16arranged to enclose the elongated mouth portion 12. As herein shown, theunderlying side wall portion 63 ofthe top closingside seam is providedwith a pouring opening 64 arranged to be covered by the adhesive freeportion 66 of the overlying or exterior wall portion 62 in the assembledcarton.

In the operation of closing the top of the carton the opposed end wallportions 56, 58 are tucked inwardly and at the same time 'the opposedside wall portions 54, 65 are brought together to form the elongatedmouth portion 'I2 having a pleat in each end. As herein shown, the innerfolded edges 14, 16 of the pleats do not meet in the middle of the mouthportion thereby leaving a relatively wide space I8 therebetween,

equal in thickness to the pleated portions of the bellows fold. It willthus be seen that when the usual single thickness covering flap is used.the bulk presented by the bellows fold makes it difflcult to form atight closure at the spaced portions of the mouth of the carton.

In order to overcome this difficulty and to provide an emciently sealedclosure in a bellow fold type of top closure, the present folding flap10 is arranged to be of double thickness at the point where the space 18occurs in the topclosure. This double thickness, indicated at 80,preferably comprises the overlapping portions of the ap members 68, 88.As illustrated in Fig. 1, the edges 82. 83 of the flap portions 88, 68respectively, are preferably cut in the blank in the manner shown sothat the overlapping or double thickness-portion 80 will be of suchshape in the assembled carton as to conform to the shape of the space 18in the mouth of the carton. Thus, upon folding over of the flap portionand sublecting the `closure to pressure, the underlying portions of theclosure will be forced into the space 18 and as a result thereof aneiiicient closure of substantially uniform thickness throughout isprovided. The closure thus formed may then be fastened in its closedposition by stitching 85 arranged to pass through the folded overportions of the elongated closure as illustrated in Fig. 7.

From the description thus far it will be seen that in the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 the longitudinal joining seamis disposed entirely in one side of the carton, rather than being joinedat a corner` portion in the usual manner. As herein shown, the exterioroverlapping edge 88 of the body portion of the side seam is disposedsubstantially centrally of the side wall panel 23. At the lower end ofthe edge 86, the blank is offset as shown to form the relatively wideflap member 34 arranged to make up the double'thickness in the majorportion of the side ap 36. At the upper end of the edge 88 a slit 88 isprovided and an offset 80 comprising the closing tab for the pouringopening 84 is formed in the side seam. It will be observed that the slit88 in the assembled carton occurs adjacent the lower edge of theadhesive free portion 66 whereby, to facilitate uncovering of thepouring opening.

From the above description it will be observed that the present cartoncomprises a rectangular body portion I2 having downwardly tapering sidewall panels |8, 20, 22, 26 and that two opposed panels I8, 28 areprovided with rectangular shaped bottom flaps of a size such as to coversubstantially the entire bottom area of the carton and that such bottomilaps when folded and adhesively. secured in overlapping relation form arelatively rigid bottom closure for the carton. It will be furtherobserved that the two remaining side wall panels 20, 22 are eachprovided with an intermediate flap 30, 32 each of which are providedwith integral sealing tabs or side members 38, 48 and 42, 44 arranged tobe folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of theirrespective intermediate flaps 30, 32, prior to folding down andadhesively securing the latter to the bottom of the side flap 28, asabove described, thereby forming a substantially liquid tight closurefor the bottom of the carton.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, which illustrate a modified form ofthe present carton, the invention as therein disclosed is embodied in asimilar carton in which the longitudinal joining seam 92 occurs adjacentone corner of the carton. As hereinshown, in the modified form of theinvention, the pouring opening 86 is provided in an extended portion 88of the Joining member 88 and is arranged to be covered by the adhesivefree portion |00 of the side flap |02 in the assembled carton.' In thepresent construction, the adhesive free portion |00 extends out to theedge |04 of the side flap. as shown, thus facilitating uncovering thepouring opeiing.

The novel bottom closure in the modified embodiment of the inventionincludes the wing portions |08, |08 formed integrally with the side apsI I0, 'I I2 and which are arranged to be folded down and sealed in a,manner similar to that illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, the side fiap ||0being of but a single thickness except at the marginal Joining edge H4.as shown.

The top closure shown in Figs. 8 to 10 comprises a bellows fold type ofclosure arranged to be closed in a manner similar to thatv shown inFigs. 6 and '7, the top covering flap H6 for vthe elongated mouthportion comprising but a single thickness of carton forming material.

The shape of the blank shown in Fig. 1 and the' application of theadhesive in the manner shown, contribute substantially to the rigidityof the entire carton and it particularly reduces to a minimum weaving ofthe carton.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been hereinillustrated and described it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No.426,795, filed January 15,

1. A carton comprising a rectangular body 40 portion having alongitudinal side seam and a bellows fold end closure formed by foldedextensions of the body portion including an elongated mouth portionhaving a pleat in each end, the inner folded edges of the pleatesterminating short of the middle of said elongated mouth portion thusproviding a space therebetween, a closing flap for said mouth portionformed by an extension of one wallof said closure, said closing flapbeing of increased thickness at said middle portion corresponding inshape to the space between said pleats in the assembled carton wherebyto fill said space and to provide a substantially uniform thickness incross section throughout the length of the closure, said increasedthickness being formed by overlapping portions of the longitudinal sideseam of the carton.

2. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having a longitudinalside seam disposed substantially centrally of one side wall of thecarton and a bellows fold end closure formedby folded extensions of thelbody portion including an elongated mouth portion having a pleat ineachend, the inner folded edges of the pleats terminating short of themiddle of said elongated mouth portion thus providing a spacetherebetween, a closing flap for said mouth portion formed by anextension of one wall of said closure, said closing ilap being of.increased thickness at said middle portion corresponding in shape to thespace betweenA said pleats in the4 assembled carton whereby to ll saidspace and to provide a substantially uniform thickness in cross sectionthroughout the length of the clo sure, said increased thickness beingformed by overlapping portions of said substantially centrally disposedlongitudinal side seam of the carton.

3. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion formed by articulatedwalls, two of said walls being in adhered overlapped relation, said bodyportion having a bellows fold top closure formed by folded extensions ofthe body portion and including an elongated mouth portion having a pleatin each end, the inner folded edges of the pleats terminating short ofthe middle of said elongated mouth portion thus providing a spacetherebetween, a composite closing flap for said mouth portion formed bypartially overlapped extensions of said overlapped walls, said closingflap being of increased thickness at the overlapped portions at saidmiddle portion corresponding in shape to the space between said pleatsin the assembled carton whereby to fill said space and to provide amulti-ply closure of substantially uniform thickness across the mouthand top to provide increased stiffness of said top closure.

4. A carton comprising Ia rectangular body portion formed by articulatedwalls, two of said walls being in adhered overlapped relation, said bodyportion having a bellows fold top closure formed by folded extensions ofthe body portion and including an elongated mouth portion having a pleatin each end, the inner folded edges of the pleats terminating short ofthe middle of said elongated mouth portion thus providing a space theoverlapped portions at said middle portion :r

corresponding in shape to the space between said pleats in the assembledcarton whereby to fill said space and to provide a multi-ply closure ofsubstantially uniform thickness; across the mouth and top and to provideincreased stiffness of said top closure.

5. A carton formed from a single blank suitably cut and scored toprovide front, rear and side panels to form a rectangular body portion,a glue panel hingedly connected to one of said panels and adhered to anadjacent overlapped panel, extensions on each of said panels to providea bellows fold top closure formed by folding said extensions andincluding an elongated mouth portion having a pleat in each end, theinner folded edges of the pleats terminating short of the middle of saidelongated mouth portion thus providing a space therebetween, a closingflap for said mouth portion formed by the extensions of said overlappedglue panel and adjacent overlapped panel, the vertical edge portions ofthe extensions of said overlapped panels terminating inwardly of thefree edges of said panels and being in overlapped relation to provide anincreased thickness at said middle portion corresponding in shape to thespace between said pleats in the assembled carton whereby to fill saidspace and to provide a multi-ply closure of substantially uniformthickness across the mouth and top and to provide increased stiffness ofsaid top closure.

6. A carton formed from a single blank suitably cut and scored toprovide front, rear and side panels to form a rectangular body portion,a glue panel hingedly connected to one'of said panels and adhered to anadjacent overlapped panel, extensions on each of said panels to providea bellows fold top closure formed by folding said extensions andincluding an elongated mouth portion having a pleat in each end, atheinner folded edges of the pleats terminating short of the middle of saidelongated mouth portion thus providing a quadrangular spacetherebetween, a composite closing flap for said mouth 'portion formed bythe extensions of said overlapped glue panei and adjacent overlappedpanel, the vertical edge portions of the extensions of said overlappedpanels spaced inwardly of the free edges of said panels and being inoverlapped relation to provide an increased thickness at said middleportion corresponding in quadrangular coinciding shape to the spacebetween said pleats in the assembled carton whereby to fill said spaceand to provide a multi-ply closure of substantially uniform thicknessacross the mouth and top and to provide increased stiffness of said topclosure.

7. A carton formed from a single blank suitably cut and scored toprovide front, rear and side panels to form a rectangular body portion.a glue panel hingedly connected to one of said panels and adhered to anadjacent overlapped panel, extensions on each of said panels to providea bellows fold top closure formed by folding said extensions andincluding an elongated mouth portion having a pleat in each end, theinner folded edges of the pleats terminating short of the middle of saidelongated mouth portion thus providing a space therebetween, a closingnap for said mouth portion formed by the extensions of said overlappedglue panel and adjacent overlapped panel, the vertical free edges of theextensions of said overlapped panels terminating inwardly of the freeedges of said pan vGli els, the vertical marginal portions of saidextensions being in overlapped relation to provide an increasedthickness at said middle portion corv responding in shape to the spacebetween said pleats in the assembled carton, the inner vertical freeedge of one of said extension panels mating in abutting relation withone of the inner folded edges of the pleats terminating short of eachother whereby to flll said space and to provide a multi-ply closure ofsubstantially uniform thickness across the mouth and top and to provideincreased stiffness of said top closure.

8. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having side walls andend walls and a bellows fold end closure formed by folded extensions ofthe body portion including an elongated mouth portion formed by foldinginwardly the side wall extensions and clamping therebetween the pleatedend extensions, the inner folded edges of the pleats terminating shortof the middle of said elongated mouth portion thus providing a spacetherebetween, a closing flap for said mouth portion formed `by anextension of one of said side walls of said closure, said closing nap inoperative position being folded over the mouth portion and being ofincreased thickness at said middle portion, said thickened 'portioncorrespending in shape to the space between said pleats in the assembledcarton whereby to illl said space and to provide a substantially uniformthickness in cross section throughout the length of the closure.

JULIUS A. ZINN, Jn.

